Zephyr Cove Snowmobiling Tours — Attraction in South Lake Tahoe

We were scheduled for the Lake View ride, but had to switch to the Hope Valley ride due to lack of snow. The rental gear was good. We flew in light and needed everything. The staff at the rental gear place were all helpful. The shuttlebus drivers were good. The Hope Valley location was spectacular! There was plenty of snow, including lots of laden pine boughs. The weather was sunny and almost warm. I had my jacket open until we reached elevation (about 9,000 feet).

The larger group (Greyhound bus full) split up into smaller groups of 3-4 sleds, each with their own group guide leader. The safety/orientation was fast and efficient. The sleds were comfortable and reliable. Our group had three 2-up sled couples, plus our guide, Justina. She was really great!

Overall, the experience was good and I'm so glad we did it. Nonetheless, here are a few minor negatives:

1. We stayed at Zephyr Lodge, on the far east side of town. The equipment and secondary shuttle bus is on the far west side of town. We were the 1st pickup, and it was a slow and clunky ride from stop-to-stop around town picking up other riders (30-45 minutes). It would have been SO MUCH BETTER to simply drive our car to the equipment/shuttle location, or perhaps even stay at a nearby hotel (we did love the Zephyr Lodge though). We were prepared to Uber or jump off the school bus shuttle at the first stop and then Uber after lunch, but for various reasons there were fewer stops on the return trip and we got back to Zephyr Lodge quickly.

2. Our small group had an issue (see below) at the trail point furthest away from the departure point. It was so far, our guide's radio could not raise anyone. That was a bit unnerving.

3. My wife was getting weird meat smells, then realized her rental coat chest pocket was full of beef jerky packages, two of which had been opened. I also accidently left my cell phone in my bib pocket, but realized it before leaving the building. The staff found it for me, but obviously they aren't checking pockets before rehanging the rental clothing. Be careful reaching into those pockets...

4. We were picked up at 9:00am. We didn't get back to Zephyr Lodge until almost 2:00pm. That is 5 hours for a 2 hour ride. Moreover, we had no water or food during that time. That part is kind of on us, as we didn't fully understand what we were getting into time-wise. Be prepared.

5. The sleds are nothing special. They're comfortable enough, but very underpowered. I was able to hold full throttle for extended periods numerous times, to little effect.

We had a few issues, all created by one bimbo customer from Alabama. The staff handled all of them marvelously, but I can't resist revisiting them here. Our school bus shuttle picked her and her older guy up at one of the downtown casinos. Within a few turns and stops, she had to bolt of the shuttle to vomit on the sidewalk blvd next to a business sign.

At the 9,000 foot stop, she switched spots with her older guy and started driving. She then ran off the trail at the furthest spot, and buried the sled in very deep snow. The radio wouldn't reach, and when help finally did arrive in the form of two managers with mountain sleds, they realized getting it out would be a big project. The couple split up, with the older guy cozying up on the back of one of the one-seater mountain sleds, and the bimbo riding on back of our guide's two-up sled. She had a large backpack that she put in a space behind the short backrest. This was a 20-30 minute delay, and caused us to miss one of the beautiful side trails. But hey, she said it was her birthday.

Partway back we came to a backup sled that had been staged for us. The couple got on that sled. For some reason, she was still driving. We proceeded, but then had to stop when her backpack, which she had left on the back of our guide's sled, had bounced off and been sucked up into the track. Staff could not get it out, and eventually had to use a knife and cut it out. More delay.

Hey nobody got hurt, which was good, but she was a one-woman-wrecking-ball...

Let me say I would have given 5 stars if it wasn't for the office staff. We had the best time on our private tour (Feb 2021) It's definitely the way to go when snowmobiling. Our guide, TYLER took us to the best spots to view the mountain and really allowed us to have the best time at our own pace. He was friendly, knowledgeable and we knew we were in great hands! The office staff could definitely use some training in customer service. I asked three times for an email to be sent to me with all the details, pick-up location, and times for our tour. It was never sent. The pick-up located in Heavenly Village was supposed to be a bus stop directly across the Gondola...Nope, it's not. I took pictures to prove it. It's a no-parking zone, the curb is painted red and it's not in front of the Gondola. When I called to find out where we were to be picked up the woman on the phone was rude and had no idea how to explain where this "Bus Stop" was located. She was unaware of any landmarks other than across from the Gondola. Then when we arrived at the location and waited for the second bus to take us to the snowmobiling area. I overheard the staff talking horribly about other customers. They clearly have a lot of business and can afford to turn some away, but no customer should be mistreated. Especially, when it's your service that is running behind and unorganized. I would definitely go again despite the horrible office staff, but only if Tyler was our...

We recently took the Lake tour with Zephyr Cove. There were four of us and we enjoyed every single minute of it. We travel to South Lake Tahoe a minimum of three times a year during the winter months just to go snowmobiling. We wouldn’t go with any other company other than Zephyr Cove. They make the tour fun and adventurous! I read the reviews after my most recent trip and was shocked to see a “few” ridiculous comments about their experience… “not Covid safe” are you kidding me? The world has not stopped now! Mask are not mandated or required!! If you’re that afraid of Covid … stay home! Most of us have decided to continue with life with our standard precautions, not government mandated precautions that have expired! Another commented on “speed”….if you prefer a slow speed, get someone to pull you around on a sled or I would recommend that you indicate so upfront, because I do believe that most people who do these tours are doing them for the adventure! I HIGHLY RECOMMEND...